Strauss

The Cleveland Orchestra is considered one of the world’s most highly regarded music ensembles. Led by music director Franz Welser-Möst, it will offer two concert performances of Richard Strauss’s “Daphne” on July 15th and 18th at Avery Fisher Hall. It will also perform two additional programs, featuring works by Messiaen, Dvorák, Beethoven, and Strauss, on July 16th and 17th at the same venue.

Ring in the New Year with the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of conductor Christian Thielemann at the Musikverein. The program is hosted by Hugh Bonneville and features favorite Strauss family waltzes accompanied by the dancing of the Vienna City Ballet.

The Met’s first new production since 1969 of Strauss’s rich, romantic masterpiece stars Renée Fleming in one of her signature roles as the Marschallin, opposite Elīna Garanča as Octavian, the impulsive young title character. Conducted by Sebastian Weigle and directed by Robert Carsen, whose most recent Met production was the hit 2013 staging of Falstaff, the cast also includes Günther Groissböck as Baron Ochs, Erin Morley as Sophie, Markus Brück as Faninal, and Matthew Polenzani as the Italian Singer.

Rick Steves teams up with the Cascade Symphony Orchestra for a musical journey that begins in the United States, and touches down in seven different European countries. The special celebrates music’s power to stir the patriotic soul. Rick utilizes his extensive knowledge of European history and culture to help set the context for each piece. The orchestra performs a selection of stirring 19th-century anthems by Romantic-era composers, including Grieg, Smetana, Strauss, Berlioz, Elgar, Wagner and Verdi.

PBS continues the cherished tradition of ringing in the New Year at the opulent Musikverein with the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of guest conductor Zubin Mehta, and featuring everyone’s favorite Strauss Family waltzes accompanied by the beautiful dancing of the Vienna City Ballet. In addition to the Musikverein concert setting, the broadcast features a picturesque range of Vienna landmarks. Stage and screen legend Julie Andrews returns as host.